Final answer:
President Hoover ordered the dispersal of the Bonus Army, World War I veterans demanding early bonus payment during the Great Depression, prioritizing a balanced budget and public order, leading to a violent confrontation and significant public backlash, which contributed to his political downfall.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1932, President Herbert Hoover ordered the dispersal of the Bonus Army, a group of World War I veterans who had convened in Washington, D.C., to demand early payment of the bonuses they were due to receive in 1945. The Great Depression had left many veterans jobless and homeless, and they viewed the promised bonuses as a means of financial relief. Despite their plight and peaceful protests, Hoover prioritized a balanced budget over the immediate needs of the veterans.
When the Senate denied their request, Hoover, concerned with the veterans' prolonged presence and the makeshift camps around the Capitol, ordered them to be cleared. The resulting confrontation was violent, leading to injuries, the death of a baby, and much public outrage. This incident further damaged Hoover's public image and contributed to his defeat in the subsequent presidential election.